Vending machine



Sept. 27, 1932.

- W. B. BETTS VENDING MACHINE Filed May 7, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 William 15'. Beiis dbbozmq Sepit. W. B; BETTS VENDING MACHIN E Filed May 7,' 1.931 s Sheets-Sheet s a Ma gwue'ntoo 71 1754! E. Bali:

Irina stares m; FEQ'EQ! WILLIAM B; BETTS,,OF,BI1\TGHAMTON, NEW- YORK 'VIEINDINGIMACHINE Applicationfi1ed=May-7y193ll Serial No. 535,767.;

This invention relates tovendingmaehines vending machine of the class referred to for; of the coin controlled type, and has-for its delivering from a carton, container, box or obj ectto provide, in a manner as herein; receptacle the cigarettes originally packed; after set forth, avending machineaofihe therein; and with the revenue stamp orv stamps 5 type referred to having means for delivering applied thereto continuously visible from: the

single cigarettes therefrom upon ,the inserfront of the machine until all of the cigation of a'coin, however, it is to bennder-V rettes have been delivered from such 'carton,'; stood that a vending imachinelin; accordance. container, receptacle or box, therebyicomplywith this invention may be, employed for ingwiththe regulations governing: the fvend vending articles of merchandise for Which it ing of articles packed in a. carton, container, 60

is found applicable. i 1 receptacle orbox requiringa revenue stamp:

A further object ofgthei inventionis, to] to be affixed thereto exteriorly thereof. 1 provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, Further objects of theiinventionare to'proe. I

a machine of the classreferred to, with new vide acoin controlled vending machine, in a and novel means to provide forefiectingthe mannerias hereinafterset forth, andfor-th'e I automatic division of ,thevcoins inserted into purpose referred .to, and which is simplein the machine on a predetermined percentage its construction and arrangement, strong, basis and deliver each division ,of the coins durable, compact, formed of few parts, pleasinto separate compartments; located within ing in appearance, thoroughly elficientin its the casing. of themachineh i use, conveniently operated for the successive 70 it is customary in the practice, of-selling; delivery'of singlecigarettes or otherarticles articles of merchandiseor thelike byvendi-ngof merchandise,-and comparatively inexpen machines, for the manufacturer :ofzthema: V P- chine or of the articlesof merchandise, orof i Vi-Zith the, foregoing. and other objects in both, to place the machines in various locali View, theinventi'on consists of :the novel conties and generally at established'business; struction, combination and arrangement of: houses or stores,'payinga percentageof the parts as hereinafter more specifically der' money collected by the machine ormachines scribed, and illustrated in the accompanying to the proprietors of such business houses for drawings, Whereinis shown anembodiment,

the sale of the goods vended fromjthe ma of theinvention, but it is to be. understood chines,,for the space occupiedby themachine. that changes, variations and modifications or machines, and for the general supervision can be resortedto which come Within the Cir and protection afiordedthemachines :by such soopeof the invention as claimed. proprietors. In the present construction of In thendraWi'ng Whereinlike reference; 35 vendingmachines, the money collectedby the. characters denote c r esponding; parts same has, in known instances, been,dis throughout the several views charged from the operating mechanism there- F lgure l 1s a front elevation of a vending of into a, single coin compartment, which machin 1nl -accordance Wll 7l1:thlS lnven on. necessitates a great 7 amount of time in. the ig 2 13 Sect1011 01111119 Figure 40 countingv of the coinsv atthe end Lofwstated igu e 3 i 'Q QII II line 3+3 Eigurev -i periods of theoperation of the machines and F g1 4 '1 a o a l V16WJOI1 line 4- 1 the separation therefrom ofthe percentage igur i I y of the total money collected and duethe Jg T r 9' t lQ II f iresome; proprietor of the place wherethe machine is l rgnl fl and dlrector for the articlesv to installed, and to provide for, the automatic lQ I a v division of the collected coins, to overcome F1gure Gas-a pers ectiveview of thecom the inconvenience of counting the -latteris l d upporti g, fl ct-mg a d ag tatmg one of the objects of this invention; element for the articlestobe vended I A further object of theinvention is topro Figure is a perspect ve viewiof the article vide, in a manneras hereinafter set ,forth,.a retarderelement.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the shifting element for the combined article, supporting, deflecting and agitating element.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the article arrester element.

Figure 10 is a perspective View looking towards the inner face of the actuating member for the delivery mechanism and which forms an element of the coin controlled mechanism. y 7 V I Figure 11 is a side elevation of the coin carrier forming an element of the coin controlled mechanism.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary View in side elevation of a portion of the coin controlled mechanism.

Fi ure 13 is a perspective view of a tie mem er.

Figure .1 1 is a fragmentary. view in cross section of the coin carrier.

Figure 15 is a perspective of theoperating shaft of the delivery mechanism.

The machine includes a housing comprising a front wall 1, a pair of side walls 2, 3, a back wall 4:, a removable top 5 and a bottom. 6. .The back wall 4 is also removable.

The front wall 1 between its transverse median and upper end is formed with an opening 7 closed by a transparent panel 8 which is arranged against the'rear face of wall 1. The opening 7 is provided for the purpose of making thestamp 9 on the eigarette carton 9 visible. Below the opening 7 the wall 1 is provided with an opening 10 surrounded by a forwardly directed flange 11' and such "opening 10 is closed by the transparent panel 8 and provides means for viewing the cigarettes as they travel in a direction to be vended. Below the opening 10 and in proximity to its lower end the front wall 1 is provided with a transversely extending slot 12 forming anoutlet for the vended cigarettes. The wall 1 adjacent one side of the opening 7 is formed with a coin entrance slot 13 and below slot 13 with a'lengthwise extending 81013 14 for a purpose to be presently referred to. The lower portion of wall 1 is directed forwardly at an inclination, as indicated at 15 and the latter has its lower end formed with a. rearwardly directed flange 16. The upper 'end of the wall 1 has a forwardly directed flange 17 V V The side walls 2, 3 are integral'with-the front wall 1 and the upper end of each side wall is outwar ly directed flange 18 forming acontinuation of flange 17. The bottom of each side wall is provided with an inwardly directed flange 19 which forms a continuation of the flange 16. The side wall 2 in proximity to'its lower end is formed with an opening 20 for a purpose to be presently: referred to. The side walls 2, 3 are formed with aligning slots 21, 22 for a purpose to be presently referred to. The bottom 6 ispositioned above rovided with a laterally extending.

itsrear has a depending flange 25. The back Wall 4 is positioned at its upper end against a the forward face of flange 25 and has extending forwardly from each lengthwise edge thereof a flange 26 and a flange 27 the latter is arranged inendwise opposed align-- ment with and has its upper end spaced from the lower end of flange 26. The up er end offlange 26 is spaceda substantial 1stanee below the top of wallt. The flanges 26, 27 engage the inner faces of the side walls 2,. 3 when the back wall 1 is in position. The spacing of flange 26 from flange 27 provides a space 28 for a purpose to be presently re-i ferred to. The flange 27 has its lower end positioned above the bottom end of wall 4 to provide a clearance; N hen back wall 4 .75} is connected with the side walls 2, 3 the said back wall 4e abuts against the rear edgeof. bottom 6.

The-flanges 16 and 19 provide a support at" the lower end of the housing, are spaced from and in connection with the'bottom 6 forms a guide groove 29 fora purpose to bepresently referred to. The front wall 1 is formed with a rearwardly directed ledge 30- which registers with the top edge of slot 12 l."-"-'? and provides a support for the transparent panel 8, the latter being of a length to extend from the ledge 30 to a point in proximity to the top 5 of housing.

Arran ed within the housin is a vertical :,2.

support 30 -of U-shaped contour in sectional plan and including a front part 31 and side parts 32,33. The width of the support is less than thatof the housing. Positioned upon the bottom 6 of the housing is an angle 1.1:-

shaped member comprising a vertical leg 3 1 and a horizontal leg 35 which extends into the clearance 28 and supported by flange 27. The leg as is positioned in close prox1mity to the portion 15 of front wall 1. The legs 34, 35, bottom 6, side walls 2, 3 and side wall 4 form a coin collecting chamber 36. The

leg-35 is formed with a slot 37 for a lock 38, I the latter being projected through the opening 20. as at 39. The bolt element of the lock V 38 is indicated at 40 and when inactive position extends down through opening 23 and bottom 6.

The front part 31 of the support 30 coacts with the leg30 for maintaining the panel 8 against the rear face of the front wall 1.

The side parts 32, 33 of the support 30 interlock, as at' l1,12rwith the leg 35. The

side part 32 of support30 is cut outat its lower end, as at 4:3 to provide a clearance for to the side wall 3 of the housing and located exteriorly of the side part 33 of the support The side parts 32, 33 of the support 30 are slottedas at 44 and the slots align with the slots 21, 22 of side walls 2, 3. Extendf ing through the aligning slots is an angle shaped tie member notched on one of its edges as at 46. The notch 46 coacts with the bottom edge of slot 22 and one leg of member 45 abuts against the outer face of side wall 2 and by this arrangement the support 30, supports 45'and the latter connects or ties the walls 2, 3 of the housing to the back wall 4 of the latter.

The carton 9 is suspended from the top edges of the support 30". The carton 9 includes a flap which is'arranged between the panel 8 and front part 31 and a flap which is arranged between the rear edges of parts 32 and 33 of the rear wall 4. The flaps referred to are indicated at 47, 48. The other portion of the carton is arranged within the support 3.0. The flap 48 depends below flap 47.

Positioned'within the lower portion of the support 30 and connected therewith is a delivery mechanism functioning to discharge successively single cigarettes through the slot 12. The mechanism includes a combined article guide and director element referred to generally at 49 and comprising an upstanding plate 50 having a forwardly curved lower portion 51 which terminates in a pair of forwardly directed spaced downwardly inclined supporting tracks 52 for the vended cigarettes. The tracks project through and beyond slot 12 and have the outer ends thereof upturned as at 53 to provide stops. The upper portion 54-of plate 50 is offset with respect toits lower portion 55. The plate 50 is formed with an upper and a lowertransverse slot 56. 57 respectively. The lower slot 57 is positioned at the point of joinder of the portion 54 with portion of plate 50. The element 49 has each side provided with superposedlateral lugs 58 which engage in superposed slots 59 formed in the side parts 32, of the support 30 whereby eleme'nt49 is suspended by such side parts below the upper and lower ends of the latter. The

front part 31 of the support 30 has an open-, 55 ing 60 which opposes the upper portion 54 of plate 50 and the latteris arranged in opposed spaced relation with respect to said front part 31. The top of part 54 of plate 50 projects slightly above the top of the opening 60 and the latter provides for the viewing of the cigarettes as they move ina direction to be vendedfrom the machine. The element 49 is held stationary between the side parts 32, 33 of support 30'. l

The delivery mechanism also includes a combined supporting,deflectingand agitating elementfor the cigarettesto be vended and V which is referred to generally at 61, the latter being formed from a plate of sheet metal provlding a rectangular body portion 62 and a depending curvedflange63 at the front of body portion 62. Each sideof body portion 62 has projecting therefrom pivots 64 which are mounted in openings 65 formed in the parts 32, 3.3. The element 61 has its body portion arranged above the top of the element49. The flange 63 of element 61 rides against the inner face of the portiori 54 of plate 50 at the upper end thereof. The-element 61 is disposed at right angles to the element 49 and also has its movement arrested in one direction by the tie member 45.; The top of the plate 54 also further acts to arrest theshifting of the element .61 in the opposite direction. ;The flange 63 is curved and when the front of the element moves downwardly the plate 50 acts as an abutment for limiting the downward shift of element 61 at the front thereof. The cigarettes 66 are supported by the element, 61v and which acts as a means todeflect the cigarettes into the passage 67 formed between the part 31 and element 49. i 1

The delivery mechanism alsoincludes. an arrester element for the cigarettes as they travel down through the passage67 and such element is generally indicated at 6'8 and it includes an inverted yoke shaped part 69, a pair of spaced, upstanding arms 70, 41, forwardly extending flanges 7 2, 73 at the upper ends of arms 70, 71 respectively, a horizontally disposed arrester vbar 7 4 integral with the flanges 72, 73 and a rearwardly extending angle shaped arm 75. The arms 70, 71 have their lower portions curved rearwardly as indicated at 76. The arm 75 includes-ahorizontal and a vertical portion, the latter being indicated at 77. The horizontal portion of arm 7 5 is formed integral with the bottom edge ofthe top of the inverted yoke shaped part 69 centrally thereof. The part .69 has the lower end of its legs formed with laterally extending pivots 78 which .are mounted in openings 7 9 formed in the parts 32, 33 of the U-shaped support The element 68 is positioned rearwardly of the element 49 and the flanges 72, 73 extend through the opening or slot 56 formed in member'49 and intopass'age V for the cigarettes. j

The element 81 functions to retard a cigarette which has been released by the element 68 and element 81 moves to operative position when element 68 movesfrom active position and vice-versa. The element 81 includes an inverted triangular shaped upper'portion 82 provided at its top with laterally extending pivots 88 which engage in opening 84 formed in side parts '82, 88. The part 82 inclines rearwar dly from top to bottom and has struck therefrom an inclined lug 85 which projects rearwardly from portion 82. The top of lug I 85 is integral with portion 82 and the latter,'

3} .11! at its bottom 82 terminates in a pair of depending spaced arms 86 which incline forwardly and have forwardly directed flanges 87 at their lower ends merging into a horizontally disposed retarder' bar 88. The

i N flanges 87 project forwardly through slot 57' The delivery mechanism'further includes a 85. shifting element for the element 61. The

shifting element is indicated at 89 and includes an upstanding rearwardly inclined forward part 90, which merges at its top into a downwardly extending rearwardly inclined intermediate part 91 and the latter terminates in a depending forwardly inclined lower part 92. The point of mergence of part 90 with part 91 and which is indicated at 98 is posiv tioned against the lower face of element 61.

The part 90 is formed with a pair of opposit-ely extending arms 94 provided with pivots 95 which are seated in openings 96 formed in the side parts 82, 88 of the U- shaped support. The part 90 of element 89 is formed centrally with a U-shaped cutout 97 to provide a clearance for a purpose to be presently referred to. I

The delivery mechanism further includes an intermittently rotatable actuating element 15 98 which is common to the elements 68 81 and 69. The element 98 includes a thin apertured circular part or body portion 99 standing on edge and formed with a series of spaced arms 100 having the longitudinal medians thereof eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of part or hot y portion 99. Each arm 100 has the outer end thereof formed with a lug 101 and acurved edge portion 102 extendingfrom the inner end of the inner side of a lug. The cutout 97 in element 89 provides a clearance for the arms 100. The element 98 is disposed in alignment with respect to the vertical medians of the elements 61, 68, 81 and 89.

Thearms 100 of element98 successively en-' gage part 92 of element'89 and intermittently elevate and lower the element 89 for the purpose of shifting element 61 on its pivot to agitate the cigarettes 66. The arms 100 of element 98 coact with lug 85 of element 81 for 35 the'purpose of intermittently shifting element'81 forwardly in a manner to have bar 88 i move into passage 67 against the action of the controlling spring 80. The arms 100 in termittently engage with portion 77 to intermittently shift element 68 for the purpose of moving bar 74 into passage 67 against the action of its controlling spring 80.

The'element 98 is fixed to and bodily carried by an operating shaft 108 therefor. The shaft 108 has its periphery curved as at 104 and flat as at 105. The shaft 108 in proximity to one end is formed with areduced portion 106 to provide a ournal and adjacent its otherend is formed with a pair of reduced portions 107, 108to provide respectively a hearing and a journal. The reducedportions are of circular cross section. The purpose of bearing 10'? will be presently referred to.

The parts 82 and 88 of the U-shaped supporta're formed with aligning keyhole openings and one of which is illustrated in part 88, Figure 12. Each opening has an enlarged circular-part 84 and a reduced semi-oval shaped part depending from part 84.

The part 84- of the keyhole shaped openings provides for. the positioning the shaft 108 transversely with respect to the U-shaped support and into side parts 82, 88. The journals 106 and 108 are mounted in and rotate "1 the reduced portions 84 of the openings. The shaft 108 projects beyond the side part 88 of support 80 and extends in close proximity to the side wall 8 of the housing;

Connected with the shaft 108 is the actuating member of the delivery mechanism and which is referred to generally 'at 109. The member 109 comprises a disc like body poropening formed of a circular portion 111 and a substantially semi-oval portion 112 in which is seated the bearing 107. Extending from the body portion 110 is an arm 118 adapted to lie-manually shifted downwardly to operate the delivery mechanism to vend the cigarettes. The body portion 110 has at its edge an'arcuate flange 114 and an apertured lug 115 spaced from the flange 114. The lug 115 operates in an arcuate slot 116 formed in the side part 88 of the U-shaped support and provides means for arresting the shifting moveinent'of the actuating member 109 in opposite directions. Attached to the lug 115 and to the leg. 85 is a controlling spring 117 for the member 109. I

The leg 85 in connection with the support 80 provides a coin receiving chamber 118and the coin entrance tothe latter is provided by arectangular slot 119 formed in the side part 88 of support 80.. The slot 119 is below and spaced from that side of portion 85 of the keyhole opening opposite the side from which slot 116 is arranged adjacent to. The wall of slot 119 is beveled as at 120. ,The bevels extend downwardly from the outer to the inner face of side part 88. I

Fixed to and bodilymovable with shaft 103, as well as being interposed betweenjoun nal 108 and bearing 107 is a coin carrier 121 which is formed with a series of U-shaped coin receiving pockets andzas illustrated by way of example the carrier is set up with five pockets, four of which are indicated at 122 and the other at 123. The edge of each pocket 122 is formed with a laterally extending coin retaining lug .124. The lugs are flush with the inner face of the carrier, project inwardly and are of less thickness than v the width of the edge from which they project. The edge of pocket 123 .is beveled as at 125. The bevel 125 extends in the same di rection as bevel 120. The lugs 124 retain the coins 126 in the pockets 122 until the coin in'apocket 122 is discharged therefrom and such discharge happens when a pocket 122 has its open end opposite the coin entrance slot 44. The lug 124 coacts with the side part 33 of support during the rotation of the carrier for the purpose of retaining the coins in the pocket 122 until the latter arrive at the position just referred to. The coin in pocket 123 is automatically discharged therefrom when the bevel edge of said pocket registers with the beveled wall of slot. 119. By the foregoing arrangement, one coin out of every five will be discharged into chamber 118 and the other four discharged into chamber 36 and the coins are automatically divid ed and overcoming the necessity ofcounting them.

The depth of each coin receiving pocket is such as to provide for the coin to project beyond the mouth of the pocket. See'Figure 11. The projecting portion of the coin is attached to the actuating or shifting element 109 to shaft 103 for the purpose operating the latter to provide for the actuation of the delivery mechanism to vend successively single cigarettes. The forward end of flange 114 coacts with the coin to couple shaft 103 and element 109 together,-as element 109 is loosely mounted on the shaft.

. Secured to the outer face of side part 33 of support 30 is an opposite flanged'channel shaped member 126 which provides a downwardly inclined coin chute 127 having its upper end oppose the coin entrance slot 13. The lower end of chute 127 opposes the edge of disc 110. Secured to side part 33 of support 30 is a plate 128 formed at its inner side with an arcuate flan 'e 129 which opposes disc and provides a bearing for lever or handle member 113, the latter extends through slot 14 and projects from the front of the housing. The inner edge of, plate 128 and its flange 129 :onstitutes a means to prevent the coins from passing from the mouth of each pocket until the coins arrive at a point of discharge;

Carried by the housing isa slidably and adjustable supporting bracket for the machine. The bracket includes a forward and a rear section. The forward section being of greater width than the lower section and formed ofa vertical arm 130 and a horizontal arm 131 slidably mounted in the groove 29. The arm 130, centrally thereof is provided with a vertical slot 132 having the side walls thereof beveled. The arm 131' extends forwardly at right angles to the lower end of arm 130 and isfo-rmedwith a slot 133 adapted to register with the slot or opening 23 for the passage therethrough of the locking bolt 40. The rear section includes a vertical arm 134 and a horizontal arm 135 projecting forwardly at right angles to and integral with the lower end of arm 134. The rear section is vertically adjustable relative to the vforward section. Arm 134 slides against the rear face of arm 130. Arm 135 is arranged below arm 131,. Arm 134 is formed with superposed openings 136 having threaded walls. Head'- ed screws 137 extend through slot 132 and engage the walls of openings 136 for securing the rear section in adjusted'position.

The bracket can be employed as a clamp for securing the housing to a support or holdfast means can extend through slot 132 to anchor the housing to a wall. The bracket can be removed from the housing when the lock 38 is released. The look not only pro- Vides meansfor locking the machine but also for locking the bracket to the housing.

Whena cigarette is released by the bar 88 of element 81 it falls down the passage 67 upon the curved lower portion 50 and travels outwardly on the tracks52 through slots 12 and 12 until it is arrested by the stops 53.

The slot 12 is formed at the lower end of to provide a passage terminating in a delivery 7 ..1 *outlet for the articles to be vended, said means arranged forwardly of said element for re- 1 ceiving the articles therefrom, an article arrester element having a part thereof normally extendingacross said passage to arrest the I passage of the articles therethrough, an

article retarder element having a party normally clear of said passage, a controlling sprmg common to sand arrester and retarder elements, a rotatable actuating element for alternately shifting the said parts of said arrester andretarding elements into and out of said passage to provide for successively delivering articles from the machine and for shifting said device to actuate saidarticle supporting, deflecting and agitating element.

- 1 2; Ina vending machine a pivoted combined article supporting, deflecting and agitating element,.an intermittently revoluble disc provided with a set of spaced arms ar- IT ranged below said element, a pivoted shifting means of angular contourfor said element, said means pivoted at its forward end, overlapping and having its rear end slidable on said arms to provide for its operation by the latter and further having 'itstop engage said element for shifting it on its pivot, means for operating said disc, means to provide a passage terminating in a deliveryoutlet, said 10 passage arranged forwardly of said element for receiving the articles therefrom, an article arrester element having a portion thereof normally extending across said guide passage intermediate its ends, an article-retarder elementnormallyclear of said passage, said disc co-acting with said arrester and retarder elments for shifting said arrester element clear of and said retarder element into said passage, and means for shifting said retarder '20 element clear of and said arrester element into said passage for the delivery of a single article from the machine. 7

3. In a vending machine, a pivotally mounted combined article supporting, de-

fleeting and agitating element, a pivoted shifting device for and contacting with said element, means arranged forwardly of said element to provide a passage terminating in a delivery outlet for the articles to be vended, said means arranged forwardly of said element for receiving the articles therefrom, an article arrester element havmg a part thereof normally extending across said passage to arrest the passage of the articles i therethrough, an article retarder element having a part normally clear of said passage, a controlling spring common to said arrester and retarder elements, a rotatable actuating element for alternately shifting the said parts 10 of said arrester and retarding elements into and out of saidpassage to provide for successively delivering articles from the machine and for shifting said device to actuate said article supporting, deflecting and agitating element, operating means for said rotatable element, said device at its rear having an angularly disposed depending port1on, sa1d arrester element having at its rear an up standing angularly disposed portion, said re 9 tarding element having a rearwardly directed lug, and said rotatable element having "spaced arms successively engaging respectively with said upstanding portion, depending portion and lug for successively operating said arrester element, retarder element and device: 4;

4. A vending machine comprising a combined article guide and holder-element formed of, a vertical portion terminating atits lower 80 endin ahorizontalportion pro-jectingthroug'h the'front and forwardlyof the machine to receive the vended article, a shiftable article arrester element normally extended through said vertical portion in the path of the articles "to be vended, a shiftable' article retarder element for extension through said vertical portion in the path of the articles to be vended. when the arrester element is shifted from normal, a shiftable combined supporting, defleeting and agitating element for a body of articles to be vended and arranged above said arrester and retarder elements and above said its lower end in a horizontal portionprojecting through thefront and forwardly of the machlne to receive the vended article, a shiftable article arrester element normally extended through said vertical portion in the path of the articles to be vended, a shiftable article retarder element for extension through said vertical portion in the path of the articles to be vended, when the arrester element is shifted from normal, a shiftable combined supporting, deflecting and agitating element for a body of articles to be vended and ar ranged abovesaid arrester and retarder'elements and above said vertical portion, shifting means for said combined supporting, deflecting and agitatng element, and means commonto said shifting means, arrester and retarder elements for operating them to provide for the delivery of a single article from the machine, said retarder element positioned rearwardly of and projecting above and extending through said arrester element, said arrester element having a rearwardly extending portion arranged below said operating means, said shifting means positioned over said operating means and rearwardly of said retarder element and the latter being positioned forwardly of said'operating'means.

6. In a vending machine a combined guide and article holder element formed with a pair of superposed slots, an upstanding shiftable,pivotally supported article arrester element including an article arrester bar at its top normally extended forwardly through the upperof said slots in the path of the articles to be vended, an upstanding, pivotally supported article retarder element having an article retarder bar at its bottom for the extension through the lower of said slots in the path of the articles to be vended when the arrester bar is withdrawn, said retarder "bar permanently extending through the arfrester element, said arrester and retarder elements having rearwardly directed portions, and means engaging with said portions for simultaneously shifting said arrester and retarder elementsin opposite directions.

7. In a vending machine a combined guide and article holder element formed with a pair of superposed slots, an upstanding shiftable, pivotally supported article arrester element including an article arrester bar at its top normally extended forwardly through the upper of said slots in the path of the articles to be vended, an upstanding, pivotally supported article retarder element having an ar ticle retarder bar at its bottom for the extension through the lower of said slots in the path of the articles to be vended wh n the arrester bar is withdrawn, said retarder bar permanently extending through the arrester element, said arrester and retarder elements having rearwardly directed portions, means engaging with said portions for simultane ously shifting said arrester and retarder elements in opposite directions, and a common controlling spring for and having its ends connected to said arrester and retarder elements.

8. In a vending machine a combined guide and article holder element formed with a pair of superposed slots, an upstanding shiftable, pivotally supported article arrester element including an article arrester bar at its top normally extended forwardly through the upper of said slots in the path of the articles to be vended, an upstanding, pivotally supported article retarder element having an article retarder bar at its bottom for the extension through the lower of said slots in the path of the articles to be vended when the arrester bar is withdrawn, said retarder bar permanently extending through the arrester element, said arrester and retarder elements having rearwardly directed portions, a shiftable support for directing the articles to be vended forwardly of said guide and holder element, an actuating element for shifting said support in one direction, said actuating element having a depending portion, and rotatable means engaging with said portions for simultaneously shifting said arrester and retarder elements in opposite directions and for operating said actuating element.

9. In a vending machine a combined guide and article holder element formed with a pair of superposed slots, an upstanding shiftable, pivotally supported article arrester element including an article arrester bar at its top normally extended forwardly through the upper of said slots in the path of the articles to be vended, an upstanding, pivotally supelement, said arrester and retarder elements having rearwardly directed portions, a shift able support for directing the articles to be vended forwardly of said guide and holder element, an actuating element for shifting said support in one direction, said actuating element having a depending portion, rotatable means engaging with said portions for simultaneously shifting said arrester and retarder elements in opposite directions and for operating said actuating element, and means opposing the front of said guide and holder element providing a passage for the travel of the articles being vended and having a discharge opening for the delivery of the article, the lower portion of the guide and holder element extending through said discharge element and closing the lower end of said passage. 1

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto. g 7

WILLIAM B. BETTS.

ported article retarder element having an ar- 7 ticle retarder bar at its bottom for the extension through the lower of said slots in the path of the articles to be vended when the arrester bar is withdrawn, said retarder bar permanently extending through the arrester 

